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Bleacher Report - The open source sports networken-us30Tyren Jones Arrested: Latest Details, Mugshot and More on Alabama RB Scott Polacek<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">No offseason news is typically good news for major college football programs. Unfortunately for the Alabama Crimson Tide, they received some bad news Tuesday. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Stephanie Taylor of <em>The Tuscaloosa News </em>noted that running back Tyren Jones was charged with marijuana possession. She also passed along his mugshot and the media release from the Tuscaloosa Police Department:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Jones finished the 2014 season with 224 rushing yards and two touchdowns but was far behind workhorses T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry on the depth chart. Yeldon declared for the NFL draft, so Jones was expected to challenge for more carries this season, even with Henry still in place.</p>
<p>This is the latest in a string of disappointing off-field news for the Alabama program. Defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the team after he was arrested on domestic violence charges, per this <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12581466/jonathan-taylor-dismissed-alabama-crimson-tide-following-arrest" target="_blank">ESPN.com</a> report, and safety Geno Smith was recently arrested on charges of driving under the influence for a second time, per this <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2015-03-28/alabama-safety-geno-smith-arrested-second-dui-charge-crimson-tide" target="_blank">Sporting News</a> report.</p>
<p>Safe to say, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nick-saban">Nick Saban</a> and the Crimson Tide are probably looking forward to when they can start worrying about football again.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:53:01 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415817-tyren-jones-arrested-latest-details-mugshot-and-more-on-alabama-rb
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415817-tyren-jones-arrested-latest-details-mugshot-and-more-on-alabama-rbhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415817-tyren-jones-arrested-latest-details-mugshot-and-more-on-alabama-rbNCAACollege FootballSEC FootballAlabama Crimson Tide FootballBreaking NewsDwight Freeney Files Lawsuit Against Bank of America: Latest Details, CommentsTyler Conway<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Former NFL Pro Bowler <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dwight-freeney">Dwight Freeney</a> has filed a lawsuit against Bank of America, claiming the bank defrauded him of more than $20 million. &nbsp;</p>
<p>ESPN's Adam Schefter provided the press release from his attorney:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Freeney, 35, played for the San Diego Chargers last season. He has made more than $95 million in salary during his career, per <a href="http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-diego-chargers/dwight-freeney/cash-earnings/">Spotrac</a>, and he earned a little more than $4 million in 2014. The statement does not go into detail regarding Bank of America's involvement in the "scheme," but it claims the bank's management resulted in a mass exodus of funds over a two-year period.</p>
<p>Freeney is currently a free agent after his contract expired. He told <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/02/chargers-dwight-freeney-colts-retire/?#article-copy">Michael Gehlken of&nbsp;</a><em><a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/02/chargers-dwight-freeney-colts-retire/?#article-copy">U-T San Diego</a>&nbsp;</em>that he plans to play in 2015 if the "right situation" comes along:&nbsp;"I could retire tomorrow and still be happy with what I've done in this league. But I think I have a lot in the tank as well. It's one of those things where I'm going to wait for the right situation to come across the table."</p>
<p><span>The former Syracuse star played his first 11 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. His 111.5 career sacks rank 20th in NFL history.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Follow Tyler Conway (<a href="https://twitter.com/tylerconway22">@tylerconway22</a>) on Twitter.</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:45:36 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415838-dwight-freeney-files-lawsuit-against-bank-of-america-latest-details-comments
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415838-dwight-freeney-files-lawsuit-against-bank-of-america-latest-details-commentshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415838-dwight-freeney-files-lawsuit-against-bank-of-america-latest-details-commentsNFLDwight FreeneyBreaking NewsNetherlands vs. Spain: Score, Grades and Reaction from International Friendly Gianni Verschueren<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>The Netherlands beat Spain 2-0 on Tuesday in Amsterdam thanks to a fantastic first-half performance, taking advantage of some dreadful defending to open up an early lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>La Roja fought back in the second half but couldn't find a goal for themselves, failing to erase the memories from the 5-1 drubbing they took at the hands of the Dutch back at the 2014 World Cup.</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>The Dutch have not looked like themselves under the guidance of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Guus</span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Hiddink</span></span></span>, but their start against Spain was promising. Memphis <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Depay</span></span></span> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Klaas</span></span></span>-Jan <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Huntelaar</span></span></span> combined well after just seven minutes, with the former testing David De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gea</span></span></span> with a powerful drive.</p><p>La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Roja</span></span></span> had no answer in midfield for the hosts, who dominated possession, and before long, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Oranje</span></span></span> opened the score. Stefan De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vrij</span></span></span> rose highest to meet a corner from Wesley <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sneijder</span></span></span>, leaving De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gea</span></span></span> stranded. Yahoo! Soccer's Alex Baker was impressed:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Three minutes later, the Dutch had doubled their lead. Davy <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Klaassen</span></span></span> was all over the pitch in the first half, and after his initial effort was saved by De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gea</span></span></span>, he found the rebound bouncing back into his feet, giving him an easy goal.</p><p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Footballespana</span></span></span> were shocked:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Vicente Del <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Bosque</span></span></span> didn't look much better, via Bleacher Report UK:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Despite their two-goal lead, the Dutch didn't ease the pressure. Spain simply couldn't take control of the ball, and while <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Oranje</span></span></span>'s pace dropped tremendously, they continued playing dangerous passes in behind the Spanish defence.</p><p>La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Roja</span></span></span> had two good chances to pull one back in two minutes, but Kenneth Vermeer did well to deny Gerard Pique and Pedro.</p><p>Goal's Yves <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Galarcep</span></span></span> was growing nostalgic:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Juanmi</span></span></span> was isolated for Spain up front, but the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malaga</span></span></span> man did strong work with his constant movement, giving the midfielders an outlet to play the ball whenever they managed to keep possession for a brief spell.</p><p>It never resulted in chances, however, and at half-time, the score was 2-0 for the hosts. BBC Sport didn't like the Spanish effort one bit:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Isco</span></span></span> failed to impress during the first half, and he was replaced by David Silva to start the second. The introduction of the Manchester City man immediately improved Spain's midfield, which suddenly managed to keep pace with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Klaassen</span></span></span> and Company.</p><p>Silva found Juan <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Bernat</span></span></span> after 51 minutes, and the full-back played a brilliant ball into the box that nearly reached both <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/cesc-fabregas">Cesc Fabregas</a> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Juanmi</span></span></span>. On the other side of the pitch, Bruno Martins <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Indi</span></span></span> pushed his effort just over the bar.</p><p>Spain picked up the pace quite well, but chances were few. The introduction of in-form Alvaro <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Morata</span></span></span> added another presence in the box, and Silva thought he had scored after great work from the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Juventus</span></span></span> man. Replays showed he was offside and handled the ball, however, and the official rightly discounted the goal, per AS English:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Author Sid Lowe was somewhat happy with what he was seeing from La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Roja</span></span></span>, to his own surprise:</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p>Vermeer did well to get to a dangerous cross from Andres <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span></span></span>, intervening just before <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Morata</span></span></span> had the chance to get his head behind it.</p><p>Spain didn't press for a goal inside the final 10 minutes, but they found a handful of chances nonetheless. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vitolo</span></span> did a great job diving behind the Dutch defence time and time again but was unlucky with his finishing, and the bulk of through balls was dealt with well by <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Oranje</span></span>.</p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p><span class="spellcheck">Georginio</span> <span class="spellcheck">Wijnaldum</span> missed the best chance of the second half, hitting the side netting from close range, before the official brought the match to an end.</p><p>This was a much-needed win for the Netherlands, who have struggled during the Euro 2016 qualifiers and needed some momentum headed into the next round of fixtures. Spain will have to take confidence from their strong second half, in which they showed they can still hang with one of the better teams in European football today.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Relevant Player Grades</strong></span></p><p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p><strong>Davy <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Klaassen</span></span></span>: A</strong></p><p>The Dutch metronome in the first half hardly misplaced a pass and was deservedly rewarded for his great performance with a goal. Going up against the likes of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Isco</span></span></span> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Iniesta</span></span></span>, his confidence and poise was admirable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Memphis <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Depay</span></span></span>: B</strong></p><p>The talented <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">PSV</span></span></span> youngster is a perfect replacement for the injured <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Arjen</span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Robben</span></span></span>, but you have to think he'll keep his spot in the starting XI when the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Bayern</span></span></span> Munich star eventually returns. Always lively and dangerous, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Depay</span></span></span> doesn't have to score to make an impact.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>David Silva: B</strong></p><p>For all of their issues, depth remains one of Spain's key strengths. Silva entered the match at half-time and immediately changed the complexity of La <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Roja</span></span></span>, and while it didn't lead to a win, it once again underlined the quality of the City man.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Post-Match Reaction</strong></span></p><p>To follow.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:44:37 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415837-netherlands-vs-spain-score-grades-and-reaction-from-international-friendly
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415837-netherlands-vs-spain-score-grades-and-reaction-from-international-friendlyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415837-netherlands-vs-spain-score-grades-and-reaction-from-international-friendlyWorld FootballGame RecapNFL Moves Free-Agency Deadline to May 12: Latest Details and ReactionScott Polacek<p>The <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nfl">NFL</a> is the king of the sports world in America, and it is big news even when it makes a shift in its offseason calendar, as it did Tuesday.</p>
<p><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/31/june-1-free-agency-deadline-moved-to-may-12/" target="_blank">Mike Florio</a> of Pro Football Talk reported that the league moved the June 1 free-agency deadline date to May 12. Per Florio, &ldquo;After June 1, unrestricted free agents signed by other teams don&rsquo;t count toward the compensatory draft-pick formula. Starting this year, that date will move from June 1 to May 12, according to the league office.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Florio also noted that the Competition Committee had originally discussed moving the date to May 1, but the draft would still be taking place at that time. By having the date nearly two weeks after the draft, it allows for time to further evaluate rosters and provides some leeway time before &ldquo;allowing free agents to sign without the move helping their former team or potentially hurting their new one,&rdquo; per Florio.</p>
<p>What&rsquo;s more, moving the date provides newly signed free agents with more time to participate in offseason programs and grow more comfortable in their roles. In all, this move streamlines the NFL offseason a bit more by moving critical dates like the draft and the free-agency deadline closer together.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:44:17 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415846-nfl-moves-free-agency-deadline-to-may-12-latest-details-and-reaction
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415846-nfl-moves-free-agency-deadline-to-may-12-latest-details-and-reactionhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415846-nfl-moves-free-agency-deadline-to-may-12-latest-details-and-reactionNFLBreaking NewsIndiana's Religious Freedom Law Draws Response from Sports World Tyler Conway<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">USC athletics director Pat Haden will not attend the&nbsp;<span>College Football Playoff committee meeting this week in Indianapolis as a response to Indiana's new <a href="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/568#digest-heading">Religious Freedom Law</a>, which some feel allows private businesses the right to deny&nbsp;service&nbsp;to LGBT patrons, he announced Tuesday:&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Haden is the latest major sports figure to decry the law, which was signed into effect by Gov. Mike Pence last week. Pence stated Tuesday he would look to clarify the bill in order to ensure it does not create a discriminatory environment.</span></p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to discriminate against anyone,&rdquo; Pence said, per Richard Perez-Pena of&nbsp;<em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/01/us/governor-mike-pence-defends-indiana-religious-freedom-restoration-act.html?_r=0">The New York Times</a></em>.</p>
<p><span><span>With Indianapolis playing host to this weekend's Final Four, the College Football Playoff meetings and NCAA headquarters, the response from college sports' governing body has been swift. NCAA President Mark Emmert told <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/12587768/ncaa-president-mark-emmert-keeping-close-eye-indiana-legislators-new-law-allow-businesses-discriminate-gays-lesbians">ESPN's Andy Katz</a> he is "very concerned" about what the law could potentially mean for student-athletes and fans:&nbsp;</span></span>"The law has a lot of uncertainty and obviously lacks clarity, but anything that could potentially allow for discrimination and works in a way that is inconsistent with our values for inclusion is something that we're very, very concerned about."</p>
<p>There have been ongoing protests throughout the state since the law was signed and numerous calls for those inside and outside the sports world to boycott Indiana altogether.&nbsp;Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, amid the controversy, said the LGBT community traveling to the state for the Final Four would not run into any problems as a result of the law.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>"For those who plan to travel to our city for this weekend's upcoming final four, let me be clear: Indy welcomes all," Ballard said, per <a href="http://mashable.com/2015/03/30/indiana-lgbt-law-final-four-damage-control/">Mashable's Megan Specia</a>. "Residents, visitors and our workforce have always been and continue to be protected by our city's human rights ordinance."</p>
<p>Criticism of the law has continued throughout the professional sports world as well. The NBA, the Indiana Pacers and the&nbsp;WNBA's Indiana Fever released a <a href="http://www.nba.com/pacers/statement-nba-wnba-indiana-pacers-and-indiana-fever">joint statement</a> over the weekend ensuring equal rights to fans:&nbsp;&ldquo;The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect.&nbsp;We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere.&rdquo;</p>
<p><span>The NFL has not issued an official position at this time.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>"We do not have a comment at this time," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, per <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/03/27/indiana-religious-freedom-rfra-nfl-indianapolis-colts/70543984/">Mark Alesia&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<em>Indianapolis Star</em></a>. "We are in the process of studying the law and its implications."</p>
<p><span>Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, however, has come out condemning the law, indicating it goes against what the franchise stands for:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span>Professional motorsports, the hub of which many believe is in Indiana, has also spoken out against the law. NASCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each issued statements Tuesday.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>"NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance," <span>Brett Jewkes, NASCAR's communications officer, <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/3/31/nascar-statement-on-indiana-legislation.html">said in a statement</a>. "</span>We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race."</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Neither Major League Baseball nor the National Hockey League have a team in Indiana. As such, the two organizations have not issued a comment at this time.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Follow Tyler Conway (<a href="https://twitter.com/tylerconway22">@tylerconway22</a>) on Twitter.</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:33:57 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414281-indianas-religious-freedom-law-draws-response-from-sports-world
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414281-indianas-religious-freedom-law-draws-response-from-sports-worldhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414281-indianas-religious-freedom-law-draws-response-from-sports-worldCollege FootballBreaking NewsTom Izzo Calls Spartans 'Team of Destiny,' Talks Lifelong Memories After Elite 8Kyle Newport<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">After Michigan State advanced to the 2015 Final Four with a 76-70 overtime victory against Louisville in the Elite Eight on Sunday, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo found a perfect way to put things in perspective for his players.</p><p class="ui-droppable">Two hours of work can lead to 60 years of memories.</p><p class="ui-droppable"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Izzo's squad&mdash;which he calls a "team of destiny"&mdash;is just four hours away from being forever known as champions. With two more victories, Michigan State players will leave Indianapolis with an experience they will never forget.</span></p><p class="ui-droppable"><span style="font-size: 16px;">[</span><a style="font-size: 16px;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbOQhApZQzE" target="_blank">MSUSpartanAthletics</a><span style="font-size: 16px;">, h/t </span><a style="font-size: 16px;" href="http://collegespun.com/big-ten/michigan-state-big-ten/video-heres-tom-izzos-locker-room-speech-following-michigan-states-elite-8-victory" target="_blank">College Spun</a><span style="font-size: 16px;">]</span></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:32:50 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415829-tom-izzo-calls-spartans-team-of-destiny-talks-lifelong-memories-after-elite-8
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415829-tom-izzo-calls-spartans-team-of-destiny-talks-lifelong-memories-after-elite-8http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415829-tom-izzo-calls-spartans-team-of-destiny-talks-lifelong-memories-after-elite-8College BasketballBreaking NewsArgentina vs. Ecuador: Live Score, Highlights from International FriendlySam Tighe<p><em>International football</em></p>
<p><strong>Argentina vs. Ecuador&nbsp;</strong>(Kick-off: 12:30 a.m. GMT / 7:30 p.m. ET)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Lionel <span class="spellcheck">Messi</span> <a href="http://www.metlifestadium.com/event/2015/04/01/metlife-stadium/argentina-vs.-ecuador-international-friendly">is coming</a>&mdash;that's the tag line the <span class="spellcheck">MetLife</span> Stadium are using to advertise a valuable <span class="spellcheck">Copa</span> America warm-up clash between Argentina and Ecuador&mdash;and he's sure to draw another blockbuster crowd.</p>
<p>Follow La Albiceleste's progress against their fellow South American counterparts with us, with live updates beginning 30 minutes before kick-off!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a class="twitter-follow-button" href="https://twitter.com/stighefootball">Follow @<span class="spellcheck">stighefootball</span></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:30:00 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415102-argentina-vs-ecuador-live-score-highlights-from-international-friendly
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415102-argentina-vs-ecuador-live-score-highlights-from-international-friendlyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415102-argentina-vs-ecuador-live-score-highlights-from-international-friendlyWorld FootballInternational FootballGame RecapMonster-Hitter LB Jacksonville Jaguars Must Steal on Day 2 of 2015 NFL DraftTeam Stream Now<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p class="ui-droppable">The <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jacksonville-jaguars">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> were aggressive in free agency and will try to improve even more in the 2015 <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nfl">NFL</a> draft.</p><p class="ui-droppable">Who could the Jaguars target in the draft? What is a position of need for Jacksonville?</p><p class="ui-droppable">Watch as Bleacher Report NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller discusses a potential draft target for the Jaguars in the video above.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:25:54 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415833-monster-hitter-lb-jacksonville-jaguars-must-steal-on-day-2-of-2015-nfl-draft
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415833-monster-hitter-lb-jacksonville-jaguars-must-steal-on-day-2-of-2015-nfl-drafthttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415833-monster-hitter-lb-jacksonville-jaguars-must-steal-on-day-2-of-2015-nfl-draftFootballNFLAFC SouthJacksonville JaguarsOpinion4-Star ATH Christian Wallace Is Prototypical Charlie Strong RecruitTeam Stream Now<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Christian Wallace is a 4-star athlete, per <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Christian-Wallace-33391">247Sports' composite rankings</a>, who is currently uncommitted. Many of college football's top teams would love to add a versatile player like Wallace to their roster.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Bleacher Report College Football Analyst <a href="https://twitter.com/inthebleachers">Michael <span class="spellcheck">Felder</span></a> breaks down what makes Wallace such a perfect fit for Texas.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">How good can Wallace be for the Longhorns? Watch the video and let us know!</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:17:23 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415768-4-star-ath-christian-wallace-is-prototypical-charlie-strong-recruit
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415768-4-star-ath-christian-wallace-is-prototypical-charlie-strong-recruithttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415768-4-star-ath-christian-wallace-is-prototypical-charlie-strong-recruitNCAACollege FootballBig 12 FootballTexas Longhorns FootballOpinionCollege Football RecruitingTeam Stream NowJameis Winston Shows Exactly Who He Is at FSU Pro Day, Worthy of No. 1 Pick Brent Sobleski<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">A year ago, in the movie <em>Draft Day</em>, <span class="spellcheck">faux</span> Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr.<span>&mdash;</span>played by the stone-faced Kevin Costner<span>&mdash;</span>spent nearly half the movie trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with the draft's top quarterback prospect, Bo Callahan.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the movie, Weaver discovers just before going on the clock that the highly touted signal-caller wasn't beloved or even liked by his teammates, as evidenced by none of them showing up to the quarterback's birthday party. It proved to be enough for the imaginary general manager to pass on a quarterback with franchise potential.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While the overall plot point was sensationalized in order to start an unbelievable chain of events that dictated the third act, the situation is easily juxtaposed to real-life scenarios.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Florida State's <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jameis-winston"><span class="spellcheck">Jameis</span> Winston</a> has been under the microscope since he dominated college football during his redshirt freshman campaign, which eventually ended with his winning a Heisman Trophy and a <span class="spellcheck">BCS</span> national title.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The quarterback's life has been <span class="spellcheck">overanalyzed</span> and micromanaged ever since. His pro-day performance wasn't going to be any different.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winston only had one goal in mind when he took the field Tuesday, via ESPN's NFL Twitter account:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Even before the pro day began, the Florida State signal-caller was considered the favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winston didn't need to prove anything at the school's pro day. He simply didn't need to get hurt or fall flat on his face. A pro day is only a small piece of a player's evaluation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Everyone acknowledges that pro days are generally overblown, but it doesn't stop the critiquing of prospects, particularly the quarterbacks.&nbsp;</p>
<p>During a 102-throw workout, Winston displayed dynamic arm talent but also showed poor ball placement on a few throws and looked winded toward the end of the workout.&nbsp;</p>
<p>These things shouldn't be held against Winston. Yet these types of workouts usually serve as confirmation of what an analyst or scout already thinks of a prospect.&nbsp;</p>
<p>ESPN's Todd <span class="spellcheck">McShay</span> obviously held the Florida State quarterback in very high regard:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>On the other hand, an anonymous NFL scout believed Winston's performance Tuesday was a typical representation of his collegiate career:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>As part of the extended workout, Winston and his camp decided to prove the quarterback was more than a pocket passer. Quarterback guru George Whitfield helped script a workout to highlight Winston's movement skills.&nbsp;</p>
<p>ESPN provided an example of one of <span class="spellcheck">Winton</span>'s best throws:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>There were other instances when the Alabama native was on the move and didn't throw the ball quite as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Too many quarterbacks enter their pro days attempting to prove they're something they're not instead of trying to show exactly who they are. Who they are is generally good enough for teams, which is why they're drafted.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This factor extends beyond the field for Winston.</p>
<p>Every time the former Heisman Trophy winner takes the field, scouts are eager to see how he interacts with his teammates. They're curious about his body language and how he leads his team. This applies to all quarterback prospects, but it's only magnified in Winston's case due to his off-field history.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Local sports talk radio shows around the country still snicker about Winston's failed attempt to steal crab legs from a local grocery store.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Accusations of sexual assault continue to plague Florida State University as part of a civil case.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And Winston's decision to stand on a table in the school's cafeteria to shout an obscenity cost him a game this season. It was at this point that something finally changed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winston was asked on NFL Network whether he's grown as a person. The quarterback pointed to the Clemson game as his personal fulcrum point:&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I changed drastically after the Clemson game. That was the first time I was told, 'No. You can't play.' When you see your teammates on that battlefield, and you're told, 'No, <span class="spellcheck">dawg</span>, you can't play.' That hurt me.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I'm a fun-loving guy. In other words, I was immature. All that stuff is behind me. ... When I saw my brothers fight for me, because I was still playing in that game. To motivate them and believe in them, I saw that I had to be there for them all of the time.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don't need to be the center of attention. &nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>NFL Network analyst and former quarterback Kurt Warner then asked Winston how he proves to teams that he can and should be the face of a franchise after his previous indiscretions. Winston's denied nothing, but he explained how he is now different:&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I haven't changed. I've grown. I've grown into the role of being a quarterback and not just being one of the guys. As the quarterback, you have to carry yourself a certain way. You can be one of the guys when the cameras aren't on, but one thing my dad taught me is, 'Character is what you're doing when no one is looking.' When no one is looking, I'm a good guy and I can chill.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don't have to change as a person. I just have to grow.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For an organization like the Tampa Buccaneers, <span class="spellcheck">Winton</span> doesn't need to change.&nbsp;<span>Buccaneers general manager Jason <span class="spellcheck">Licht</span> said Winston&nbsp;</span><span>"lit up the room" during his visit with the team,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TKras/status/580454426663587841">via Tom <span class="spellcheck">Krasniqi</span></a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<span>95.3 FM in Tampa Bay.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p>The quarterback simply needs to make better decisions.&nbsp;Those decisions are made on and off the field.</p>
<p>Winston believes his on-field decisions have led him to become the No. 1 overall pick, per the <em>Tampa Bay Times</em>' Rick <span class="spellcheck">Stroud</span>:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Winston's workout merely solidified the already growing consensus that the Florida State quarterback will be the first player off the board once the draft starts on Thursday, April 30.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>"Overall, the workout showcased Winston's talents as an elite passer and eliminated any doubts about his ability to make every throw in the book," NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, a former NFL scout, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000482775/article/scouts-take-winston-solidifies-status-as-drafts-no-1-qb?campaign=Twitter_nfl_cfb">wrote</a>. "While it was certainly not perfect, the workout should pave the way for him to be the No. 1 pick in the draft."</span></p>
<p>For comparison, Oregon's Marcus <span class="spellcheck">Mariota</span> also didn't blow the scouting community away during his pro-day workout. It <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2394959-marcus-mariotas-pro-day-performance-means-nothing-just-ask-teddy-bridgewater">didn't matter too much</a> either.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winston's evaluation is twofold.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Buccaneers will eventually decide<span>&mdash;if they haven't already<span>&mdash;</span></span>whether the entire organization is comfortable with his skills as a player and his quirks as a person. <span class="spellcheck">Licht</span> isn't the real-life version of Weaver, still searching for a reason not to select a franchise quarterback.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Don't worry. Winston's teammates, per the quarterback's Twitter account, clearly like him enough to share in his birthday:&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The Buccaneers aren't going to change their minds at the last minute and go in another direction. Either they're all-in regarding Winston, or they're not.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Florida State's pro day was merely another example of people trying to nitpick the quarterback's game. His performance did absolutely nothing to hamper his chances of becoming the first player drafted.</p>
<p>When it's all said and done, Winston shouldn't expect a Callahan-like draft-day slide. He's worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Brent&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck">Sobleski</span>&nbsp;covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/brentsobleski">@brentsobleski</a>.</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:17:07 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415503-jameis-winston-shows-exactly-who-he-is-at-fsu-pro-day-worthy-of-no-1-pick
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415503-jameis-winston-shows-exactly-who-he-is-at-fsu-pro-day-worthy-of-no-1-pickhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415503-jameis-winston-shows-exactly-who-he-is-at-fsu-pro-day-worthy-of-no-1-pickNFL DraftNFLOpinionJameis WinstonIs Ole Miss or Mississippi State the Better Fit for Athletic WR A.J. Brown?Team Stream Now<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable"><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/AJ-Brown-37735">A.J. Brown</a>, a 4-star wide receiver in the 2016 recruiting class, has not committed to where he will play his college football. With <a href="http://247sports.com/Recruitment/AJ-Brown-39944/RecruitInterests">several offers</a> on the table from major programs, the talented wideout has a tough decision ahead of him.</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Bleacher Report's <a href="https://twitter.com/InTheBleachers?lang=en">Michael <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Felder</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a> breaks down Brown's game in the video above.</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Where will Brown play his college ball? Check out the video and let us know!</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable"><em>Recruiting information courtesy of <a href="http://247sports.com/">247Sports</a>.</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:14:25 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415798-is-ole-miss-or-mississippi-state-better-fit-for-athletic-wr-aj-brown
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415798-is-ole-miss-or-mississippi-state-better-fit-for-athletic-wr-aj-brownhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415798-is-ole-miss-or-mississippi-state-better-fit-for-athletic-wr-aj-brownCollege FootballOpinionCollege Football RecruitingTeam Stream NowSummer Olympics Schedule 2016: Dates, Times, Daily Events Named for Rio GamesScott Polacek<p>Clear your 2016 calendars now because Tuesday marked the release of the complete Rio Summer Olympics competition schedule. &nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/31/rio-olympics-schedule-2016-daily-competition-highlights/" target="_blank">Nick Zaccardi</a> of NBC Sports passed along the news and a detailed breakdown of the entire schedule, with information from <a href="http://ingressos.rio2016.com/rio2016.html?affiliate=OGR&amp;doc=search&amp;fun=search&amp;action=filter">Rio2016.com</a>.</p>
<p>Among the highlights is the opening ceremony, which will take place Friday, Aug. 5 at the Maracana and features the final torchbearer and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. It is appointment viewing for even the most casual fans of the Olympic Games, and it is almost always a spectacle.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the always popular gymnastics and swimming competitions get underway the next day on Saturday, Aug. 6. The men&rsquo;s team final for gymnastics is Monday, Aug. 8, the women&rsquo;s team final is Tuesday, Aug. 9, the men&rsquo;s all-around final is Wednesday, Aug. 10, and the women&rsquo;s all-around final is Thursday, Aug. 11.</p>
<p>The second week of competition will be highlighted by the track and field events, including the women&rsquo;s 100m final Saturday, Aug. 13 and the men&rsquo;s 100m final Sunday, Aug. 14.</p>
<p>The women&rsquo;s basketball final will be Saturday, Aug. 20, while the men&rsquo;s final will be Sunday, Aug. 21.</p>
<p>The closing ceremony is also set for Sunday, Aug. 21, when the Olympic cauldron will be extinguished at the Maracana.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:11:48 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415793-summer-olympics-schedule-2016-dates-times-daily-events-named-for-rio-games
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415793-summer-olympics-schedule-2016-dates-times-daily-events-named-for-rio-gameshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415793-summer-olympics-schedule-2016-dates-times-daily-events-named-for-rio-gamesBreaking NewsOlympicsPhiladelphia Phillies to Serve Liquor at Citizens Bank Park for 2015 SeasonKyle Newport<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif">As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for what may be a very long season, the team has come up with something&nbsp;that can help fans deal with the losing.</p>
<p>The Phillies will be debuting a new bar this season that will sell liquor, according to Philly.com's <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/Booze-and-boos-at-Citizens-Bank-Park.html">Michael Klein</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But in a first this season, the Phillies and <span class="spellcheck">Aramark</span> will sell cocktails and wine on the main concourse's general&nbsp;concession areas at Citizens Bank Park. If you think that the idea of a 'Phillies bar' is coming from somewhere out of left field&mdash;well, you're correct. It will be located behind Section 142, expanding an existing&nbsp;beer bar. Wine and cocktails cannot be brought out to seats. The cocktail list has not been finalized.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The bar may get more and more crowded as the season goes on, as the expectations for the team this year are rather low. After all, Phillies ace Cole Hamels told&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/18/cole-hamels-phillies-trade-spring-training/23629509/"><em>USA Today</em> Sports'<em>&nbsp;</em>Bob <span class="spellcheck">Nightengale</span></a> this offseason that he doesn't expect this team to win much this season. If the best player on the team thinks that, it's hard for fans to get excited for a 162-game season.</p>
<p>A Twitter user offered his take on what the drinks may look like, including a catchy tagline.&nbsp;</p>
<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p>Thanks to this new bar, both the boos and booze should be flowing at Citizens Bank Park in 2015.</p>
<p>[h/t <a href="http://deadspin.com/phillies-to-start-serving-hard-liquor-and-wine-to-fans-1694819371"><span class="spellcheck">Deadspin</span></a>]</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:09:46 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415775-philadelphia-phillies-to-serve-liquor-at-citizens-bank-park-for-2015-season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415775-philadelphia-phillies-to-serve-liquor-at-citizens-bank-park-for-2015-seasonhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415775-philadelphia-phillies-to-serve-liquor-at-citizens-bank-park-for-2015-seasonMLBBreaking NewsStephen Curry and Others Join Mark Wahlberg for Early 'Entourage' Movie ShowingDan Carson<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">What appears to be half the sporting industry and most of the Golden State Warriors converged on Mark Wahlberg&rsquo;s home Monday for an early showing of the upcoming <em>Entourage </em>movie with producer Doug Ellin.</p>
<p>Images of the multi-industry crew gathering have emerged, and, seeing as there&rsquo;s a whole lot going on here, the Warriors&rsquo; Twitter account tasked fans with picking out the famous faces in the crowd.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll note a smattering of other celebrities, including Baron Davis, Bill Simmons, Steve Nash and Rob Dyrdek, joined <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> and his teammates.</p>
<p>Everyone who attended seems to have rave reviews for the film.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>I assume Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, who have <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/2014/12/23/gronk-edelman-make-beer-chugging-cameo-entourage-trailer/ag98DYvYeXZphnseZeDBuN/story.html">cameos in the movie</a>, received their copies in the mail.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Also, who wants to run fives against this group?&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Nope. When you see those dudes on the blacktop, you make a beeline for L.A. Fitness to find some lesser competition. Don&rsquo;t be a hero.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><a href="https://twitter.com/DrCarson73">Dan is on Twitter</a>. He would not want to play pickup against the new Funky Bunch.</em><em>&nbsp;</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:06:25 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415790-stephen-curry-and-others-join-mark-wahlberg-for-early-entourage-movie-showing
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415790-stephen-curry-and-others-join-mark-wahlberg-for-early-entourage-movie-showinghttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415790-stephen-curry-and-others-join-mark-wahlberg-for-early-entourage-movie-showingNBAOpinionStephen CurryTrendingVincent Kompany Does Series of Unnecessary Keepy-Uppies, Takes Outlandish ShotSean Swaby<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">Nothing like a defender trying to be a world-class attacker.</p><p class="ui-droppable">But for the theatrics alone, Vincent <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Kompany</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, we thank you.</p><p class="ui-droppable">During Belgium's European qualifier against Israel on Tuesday, the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-city">Manchester City</a> centre-back did a series of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">keepy</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>-uppies with himself, then took an outlandish shot from distance.</p><p class="ui-droppable">It went well past his target, but at least he got this momentary positional confusion out of his system.</p><p class="ui-droppable">See the whole moment <a href="http://gfycat.com/EmbarrassedCoordinatedEasternnewt">here</a>.</p><p class="ui-droppable">Kompany's strange night got even stranger as he was sent off and Belgium were forced to finish the match with 10 men.&nbsp;</p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">[<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2015/3/31/8321823/vincent-kompany-did-4-keepy-uppies-into-a-shot-from-50-yards">SB Nation</a>]</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:05:22 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415799-vincent-kompany-does-series-of-unnecessary-keepy-uppies-takes-outlandish-shot
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415799-vincent-kompany-does-series-of-unnecessary-keepy-uppies-takes-outlandish-shothttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415799-vincent-kompany-does-series-of-unnecessary-keepy-uppies-takes-outlandish-shotSoccerWorld FootballInternational FootballBreaking NewsVincent KompanyBelgium (National Football)Aram MuradyanArtur DavtyanLevon PachajyanSerge DebléChris Smalling Illness: Updates on Manchester United Star's Status and ReturnGianni Verschueren<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a> defender <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chris-smalling">Chris Smalling</a> suffered from illness on international duty with England against Italy on Tuesday, leaving his status for the coming Premier League fixtures up in the air.</p>
<p>Continue for updates. &nbsp;</p>
<hr><h2>Smalling Subbed After 'Feeling Unwell' vs. Italy</h2>
<h4>Tuesday, March 31</h4>
<p>The centre-back came up looking wobbly after a strong challenge and was immediately taken off during the first half of England's international friendly against Italy, per the team's official Twitter account:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The 25-year-old didn't appear to be limping or holding his shoulder, and according to The Football Association's Andy Walker, he simply felt unwell:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Smalling wasn't enjoying a particularly fine outing in Turin, as England were being overrun by the home side. <em>The Times</em>' Matt Dickinson even saw a silver lining:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The centre-back has been a regular starter for Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal the past few weeks, and the club haven't lost a match in which he played since early January, per&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Fixtures/Chris-Smalling">WhoScored.com</a>.</p>
<p>It's too early to tell whether or not he'll miss the match against <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/aston-villa">Aston Villa</a> on Saturday, but if he does, Van Gaal will once again have to start reshuffling his defence in search of some balance.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:00:01 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415781-chris-smalling-illness-updates-on-manchester-united-stars-status-and-return
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415781-chris-smalling-illness-updates-on-manchester-united-stars-status-and-returnhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415781-chris-smalling-illness-updates-on-manchester-united-stars-status-and-returnSoccerWorld FootballPremier LeagueManchester UnitedBreaking NewsChris SmallingInjury ReportWWE WrestleMania 31 Results: Feuds That Lived Up to the HypeDonald Wood<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">After Monday&rsquo;s episode of Raw cleared up many questions that fans had coming out of WrestleMania 31, it is easier to look back now and decipher the feuds that lived up to the hype at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span>'s premier event.</p>
<p>From Bray Wyatt rising to the occasion against Undertaker to the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> World Heavyweight Championship scene being amplified, there were several feuds on the card that helped entertain the fans on Sunday night.</p>
<p>Here are the WrestleMania 31 feuds that lived up to the hype.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Bray Wyatt vs. Undertaker</strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Where this feud is concerned, there were many fans who were focused most on Bray Wyatt and whether he would live up to the expectations placed on a man when he steps into the ring with Undertaker.</p>
<p>Despite taking the loss on Sunday, Wyatt proved his long-term value to the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span>.</p>
<p>Not only did Wyatt look like he deserved to be on the same stage as Undertaker, but the two men also managed to put on an incredible match that will live on as one of the most entertaining Undertaker bouts of the last decade.</p>
<p>Wyatt is slow and methodical in the ring, and that drives some fans crazy. When Undertaker uses the same style, the same people will praise it as amazing, and Sunday forced many of Wyatt&rsquo;s biggest skeptics to bite their tongue as he stood toe-to-toe with a legend.</p>
<p>On Sunday, Wyatt cemented his spot as a top star in the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> and a cornerstone of the company.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> Championship Scene</strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Brock <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span> was arguably the most dominant champion in <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> history, but his reign on top came to a close on Sunday when Seth Rollins changed the game by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and pinning Roman Reigns.</p>
<p>The match between Reigns and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span> was exactly what fans expected.&nbsp;The champion <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">suplexing</span></span> the challenger all over the ring and absolutely dominating his competition made for an intense visual, and the result was another one-sided battle for the majority of the match.</p>
<p>After <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span> was busted wide open by the ring post, the match was evenly booked, but it was Rollins who injected himself in the storyline and created an incredible buzz throughout the stadium and at home.</p>
<p>With <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span> not taking the loss on Sunday and still losing the title, the booking of the WrestleMania 31 main event exceeded all expectations for the bout.</p>
<p>The future is bright for all three members of this match.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">IC</span></span> Title Ladder Match </strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>One of the most entertaining bouts on the WrestleMania card was the seven-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship that featured Daniel Bryan walking out of the pay-per-view with the secondary title.</p>
<p>Ladder matches can be highly entertaining with the right performers, and with many of the top stars in the company involved in this instant classic, it is viewed by the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> Universe as one of the best opening matches in WrestleMania history.</p>
<p>Many fans had a problem with this match because it <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">wasn</span></span>&rsquo;t allowing Bryan, Dolph <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Ziggler</span></span> or Dean Ambrose to shine in marquee singles matches, but these men took it upon themselves to put on a great show.</p>
<p>The <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">IC</span></span> title match was the perfect way to start the show.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><em>For more wrestling talk, listen to&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ringrustradio">Ring Rust Radio</a><em>&nbsp;for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player below (some language <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">NSFW</span></span>).</em></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:00:00 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413935-wwe-wrestlemania-31-results-feuds-that-lived-up-to-the-hype
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413935-wwe-wrestlemania-31-results-feuds-that-lived-up-to-the-hypehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413935-wwe-wrestlemania-31-results-feuds-that-lived-up-to-the-hypePro WrestlingWWEOpinionJose Aldo, Conor McGregor Nearly Come to Blows at Press Conference in DublinSteven Rondina<p>UFC featherweight contender Conor McGregor gave Irish fans quite a treat on the final leg of the 10-city world tour to promote his upcoming fight with champion&nbsp;<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jose-aldo">Jose Aldo</a> at <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ufc-189">UFC 189</a>.</p>
<p>In front of a raucous crowd in Dublin, Aldo declared himself the "King of Dublin," through his translator. "When I got here it was raining, but I brought brought the sun with me."&nbsp;</p>
<p>McGregor, the Irishman behind an amazing resurgence in the popularity of mixed martial arts in the country, took issue with the statement. After audaciously kicking his feet on up the media table, he stepped past UFC President <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a> and grabbed Aldo's belt, waving it to the crowd while Aldo was held back by White. Security swarmed the stage, separated the fighters and returned the belt as McGregor shouted "you're looking at the king."</p>
<p>The two men have been the center of attention over the last two weeks, as their media series has delivered contentious moment after <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=130&amp;v=nkrim-4cu6I">contentious moment</a>. While Aldo has largely stayed stone-faced as McGregor has actively looked to press his buttons, things nearly boiled over here.</p>
<p>The two will meet in the cage at UFC 189 on July 11. Stick with Bleacher Report for more news on the fight as it becomes available.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:52:57 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415744-jose-aldo-conor-mcgregor-nearly-come-to-blows-at-press-conference-in-dublin
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415744-jose-aldo-conor-mcgregor-nearly-come-to-blows-at-press-conference-in-dublinhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415744-jose-aldo-conor-mcgregor-nearly-come-to-blows-at-press-conference-in-dublinFightingMMAUFCBreaking NewsJose AldoUFC 189Roman Reigns Destined to Receive the John Cena Treatment from Fans Going ForwardRyan Dilbert<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Roman Reigns knows what <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/john-cena">John <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span></a> goes through every night more than anyone else on earth.</p>
<p>Both men find themselves both cheered and booed, viewed as superheroes or scapegoats depending on the crowd gathered to see them. And like <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>, it doesn't matter what Reigns does in the ring. He can be a part of any number of classics.</p>
<p>It won't matter; the doubters are already convinced of his inadequacy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the biggest match of his life, Reigns stepped up, as <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span></span> banked on him doing. He and Brock <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span></span> capped off WrestleMania 31 with what Jim Ross would refer to as a "slobberknocker." Reigns certainly looked like he belonged on that big of a stage.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The intense, enthralling performance didn't change the minds of those who were sure he would fail, though.&nbsp;</p>
<p>His battle with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span></span> (and later with Seth Rollins as well) marked his second straight home run in a pay-per-view headlining match. His showmanship was excellent; his explosiveness was off the charts once again.</p>
<p>Will <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Pruett</span></span></span>, a writer for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">ProWrestling</span></span></span>.net, wondered aloud as to whether WrestleMania had altered the discussion about Reigns:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>For many, it hadn't. Some fans have already made up their minds about Reigns. It won't matter how much he progresses or what he produces.&nbsp;The same criticisms fans fire at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span> are now headed Reigns' way and will continue to be.</p>
<p>Fans gripe about other wrestlers "carrying" Reigns and about his limited move set.</p>
<p>Take someone like the fan who calls himself "Rollinator" on Twitter. He dismissed Reigns' contributions to the match:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>He wasn't alone. A number of fans responded to Reigns' big night with a collective scoff:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>That same language has been used to bash <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span> over the past few years. Never mind that <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span> has composed a long list of great matches; folks ready to deny his skills are quick to give his opponents the credit for those.</p>
<p>In some minds, CM Punk carried him at Money in the Bank 2011, and Shawn <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Michaels</span></span></span> carried him at WrestleMania 23. In other cases, it was <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lesnar</span></span></span>, Triple H, Edge, Rob Van Dam or Cesaro who had the burden of carrying the 250-pound load named <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>.</p>
<p>Some wrestlers are certainly better workers than others, but every classic bout is a two-way dance.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The "Wrestler A carried Wrestler B" idea is silly. Wrestling excellence takes more than one great performer. That's why Ric Flair was incredible against men like Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat, but his <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Starrcade</span></span></span> 1987 match against Ron Garvin sucked.</p>
<p>The flawed logic of the "carrying" concept has prevented some fans from ever praising <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>. Reigns looks to be on the same track.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On Monday's Raw, the crowd booed him at every turn. They rejected him before he had a chance to perform.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Criticism like that will continue to roll in. Once some folks get their minds set in one direction, there is no way to shift things. Complaints about Reigns' moves are a prime example of that.</p>
<p>Fans have longed complained that <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span> doesn't perform enough moves. His arsenal has been limited in some minds as the "Five Moves of Doom." Reigns is <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>'s heir in that department; he's been called out in similar fashion.</p>
<p>Guys like Jay Scott Smith and&nbsp;Quinn Robinson only give Reigns credit for having two moves:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>That's bad math even before you consider that Reigns has slowly added to his in-ring weapons. He has worked a <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">neckbreaker</span></span></span>, an exploder <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">suplex</span></span></span> and a string of corner clotheslines into his recent matches. The "two move" insult won't change to reflect that; it was never based in reality.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And if having the most moves made one a great wrestler, Dean <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Malenko</span></span></span> would have been a transcendent star, and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/hulk-hogan">Hulk Hogan</a> would be a footnote.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Reigns' strengths are his intensity, presence and athleticism. That made him stand out with The Shield and has him in line to be a top star for years to come. Adding moves is easy; doing the same with "it" factor is not.</p>
<p>Those who reject Reigns outright often refuse to recognize what he brings to the table.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>That's been the case with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span> for a long time now.&nbsp;To some, he will always be a wrestler who needs to be carried to quality matches, one who can't perform but a handful of moves and is a locker room diva who "buries" other wrestlers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Reigns is set for the same thing. The facts that he hasn't come up through the independent circuit, is the company's golden boy and is more of a Superstar than a mat wrestler will have stubborn <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">diehards</span></span></span> fans reject him regardless of his production, just as they have done with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>.</p>
<p>Years after being a part of some of the very best offerings we have seen in a <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span></span> ring, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>'s worst critics remain unconvinced.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After he knocked it out of the park at WrestleMania, Reigns' detractors ignored the trajectory of the ball. As he continues his career, he can expect plenty more of that. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Cena</span></span></span>'s career has shown that some fans simply see what they want to see.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:47:20 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414372-roman-reigns-destined-to-receive-the-john-cena-treatment-from-fans-going-forward
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414372-roman-reigns-destined-to-receive-the-john-cena-treatment-from-fans-going-forwardhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2414372-roman-reigns-destined-to-receive-the-john-cena-treatment-from-fans-going-forwardPro WrestlingWWEJohn CenaOpinionFantasy Football: Which Offseason Movers Will Be QB1s with New Teams in 2015?Team Stream Now<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">While only 32 <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nfl">NFL</a> general managers prepare for the upcoming 2015 NFL season, there are millions of fantasy football <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">GMs</span></span></span> doing the same.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Which quarterbacks on new teams should be targeted? Is <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nick-foles">Nick <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Foles</span></span></span></a> a viable QB1 option for fantasy owners?</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Watch<a href="http://www.twitter.com/stephen__nelson"> Stephen Nelson</a> and host of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">SiriusXM</span></span></span> Fantasy Football&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/themattcamp" target="_blank">Matt Camp</a>&nbsp;give an early quarterback fantasy preview in the video above.&nbsp;</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:42:17 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415373-fantasy-football-which-offseason-movers-will-be-qb1s-with-new-teams-in-2015
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415373-fantasy-football-which-offseason-movers-will-be-qb1s-with-new-teams-in-2015http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415373-fantasy-football-which-offseason-movers-will-be-qb1s-with-new-teams-in-2015NFLFantasy FootballOpinionNBA All-Stars in the McDonald's All American High School GameKyle Newport<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Each year, the best high school basketball players in the country take part in the McDonald's All American high school game. Although making that squad doesn't guarantee a player will have <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nba">NBA</a> success, there have been plenty of former All Americans who have gone on to become NBA All-Stars.</p>
<p>Take a look below to see which of today's biggest NBA stars were once McDonald's All Americans.</p>
<p><strong>Warning: A young, beardless <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/james-harden">James Harden</a> is included in the photos. That image will blow your mind.</strong></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:41:59 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415749-nba-all-stars-in-the-mcdonalds-all-american-high-school-game
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415749-nba-all-stars-in-the-mcdonalds-all-american-high-school-gamehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415749-nba-all-stars-in-the-mcdonalds-all-american-high-school-gameNBABreaking NewsWill Conor McGregor's Antics Bring out the Best or Worst in Jose Aldo?Chad Dundas<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ufc-189">UFC 189</a>&rsquo;s promotional &ldquo;world tour&rdquo; wrapped up in Dublin on Tuesday, with <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/jose-aldo">Jose Aldo</a>, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Conor</span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> and the excitement for their featherweight title fight all still alive and well.</p>
<p>But there were some touchy moments there, right?</p>
<p>During the 11-day promotional swing through 10 cities and across three continents, <span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span>'s pursuit of the 145-pound title straddled a fine line</span>. As he&rsquo;s apt to do, the 26-year-old Irishman needled Aldo at every stop, infuriating and provoking the longtime champion but stopping just short of inciting any kind of actual physical violence.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>The climax came in <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span>'s hometown, where an estimated 3,000 <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Dubliners</span></span></span></span> came out to cheer the challenger and jeer his Brazilian opponent.</p>
<p>They sang soccer songs over <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a>'s opening remarks and shouted "Conor's gonna get you!" when Aldo climbed on stage.&nbsp;Near the beginning of the event&mdash;which was more fan&nbsp;smorgasbord than functional news conference&mdash;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> briefly snatched the UFC belt from Aldo's side of the table and the adoring crowd went mad.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> and his fans seemed to think it was all fun and games, but during 45 minutes of abuse and one-sided questions, you could see Aldo sinking deeper and deeper into the murderous rage that had been taking hold of him throughout the media tour.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>By the end, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> had positioned himself as the UFC's charismatic trickster.&nbsp;Aldo just seemed angry.&nbsp;And dangerous.&nbsp;And as though the tedium and humiliation of following <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> all over the world for nearly the last two weeks was either going to bring the best or worst out of him come July 11.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s cool to see you all happy right now,&rdquo; he told the gathered faithful in Ireland, via the <a href="http://www.ufc.com/" target="_blank">UFC.com live stream</a>, &ldquo;but when I win the fight you&rsquo;re all going to bow down to me.&rdquo;</p>
<p>At that point, it seemed as though Aldo was getting as tired of this stuff as the rest of us were.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>By the eighth or ninth day of running the same two fighters through the same media routine (one-on-one interviews followed by press conference followed by highly charged staredown) things were bound to get a little stale.&nbsp;</span>Respect is due to both Aldo and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span>, for making sure this extended media junket <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">didn</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;t turn into complete drudgery.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>That feat was twice as impressive given the fact the whole thing was skillfully (and occasionally painstakingly) chronicled via daily episodes of the UFC&rsquo;s <em>Embedded</em> video series. Some of it was funny. Some of it was silly. Some of it&mdash;like when <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> said he wanted to build <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mcgregor-aldo-promo-tour-reaches-fever-pitch-with-slap-incident-034949826-mma.html" target="_blank">a Reebok sweatshop</a> in Aldo&rsquo;s childhood neighborhood, or when Aldo threatened to kill <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> and <a href="http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/ufc-189-championship-tour-embedded-no-5-ill-kill-this-motherf-cker-and-cut-his-head-off" target="_blank">cut his head off</a>&nbsp;(<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">NSFW</span></span></span></span> language in link)&mdash;was just plain ugly.</p>
<p>There was a lot of the typical grandstanding and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">puffery</span></span></span></span>, rumors of a slap that <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">didn</span></span></span></span>'t really happen, but it could&rsquo;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">ve</span></span></span></span> been a lot worse.</p>
<p>Turns out, these guys are near-perfect foils for each other. If anything saved the UFC 189 &ldquo;world tour&rdquo; from turning into a slog it was exactly what we saw on Tuesday&mdash;the manic frenzy of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> naturally juxtaposed against Aldo&rsquo;s stoic simmer.</p>
<p>Together they made the kind of poetry that might have gotten you even more excited for their fight, if it <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">wasn</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;t still three months away.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s be honest, poetry has largely been missing from Aldo&rsquo;s career for much of his four-year reign as UFC champion. He&rsquo;s more or less decimated every meager scrap of competition the fight company has thrown his way. He&rsquo;s torn through everyone&mdash;Kenny Florian, Frankie Edgar, Chad <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Mendes</span></span></span></span>&mdash;like a hot knife through butter, but there <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">hasn</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;t been a ton of magic in it.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Magic, unfortunately, was what we expected from Aldo after watching him terrorize the <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WEC</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;s 145-pound ranks from 2008-10, but his UFC run has fallen short of that (perhaps <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">unclearable</span></span></span></span>) bar. If anything, it&rsquo;s been workmanlike. He&rsquo;s been <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/7/8/5882543/ufc-176-canceled-after-jose-aldos-injury" target="_blank">hampered by injury</a>, has <a href="http://www.mmamania.com/2014/12/23/7443305/ufc-jose-aldo-fighters-deserve-more-pay-we-practically-have-to-pay-to-do-this-mma" target="_blank">complained about his pay</a> and has never latched on to that one <span class="spellcheck">arch nemesis</span> who could catapult him to the stratospheric heights we first anticipated from him.</p>
<p>That&rsquo;s where <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> has come in. By comparison, even Aldo&rsquo;s feud with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Mendes</span></span></span></span> and their ensuing Fight of the Year-candidate brawl at UFC 179 seems staid. You&rsquo;ll remember during the lead up to that fight, Aldo <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/8/26/6069835/jose-aldo-shoves-chad-mendes-at-ufc-179-media-day" target="_blank">shoved <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Mendes</span></span></span></span></a>&nbsp;at a press event but later admitted he did it just <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jose-aldo-admits-shoved-chad-204914486.html" target="_blank">for publicity&rsquo;s sake</a>&nbsp;and said it <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">wouldn</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;t happen again.</p>
<p>This feud with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> has none of those apologetically fake overtones. This one feels real. The Irishman has played it all pitch perfectly. Throughout his entire run through the Octagon, in fact, he&rsquo;s shown the kind of gift of gab and natural salesmanship you just can&rsquo;t teach.</p>
<p>If you could, everyone would do it.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Now, after just five fights, a boatload of analysis and a heap of criticism of his previous opponents, we&rsquo;re finally going to find out how good he really can be. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span>, to his credit, appears <span class="spellcheck">dead set</span> on playing the biggest chance of his life with the same swing-from-the-heels, shoot-from-the-hip enthusiasm as the rest of his journey.</p>
<p>How will it work out for him on fight night? Therein lies the true fun of this fight.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> is way too articulate and way too smart not to know exactly what he&rsquo;s doing to Aldo during this promotional swing. He&rsquo;s very intentionally found the sharpest stick in the yard, walked right up to the bars of the cage and started poking the bear.</p>
<p>Now he&rsquo;s got the bear&rsquo;s attention, and ours, too.</p>
<p>What exactly <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> hopes to accomplish by making Aldo very, very mad is anyone&rsquo;s best guess. Perhaps he believes that an angry Aldo will be less technically superb once they get around to the actual fight. Perhaps he hopes Aldo&rsquo;s rage will prompt him to abandon his picture-perfect punches and baseball-bat leg kicks and charge right into one of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;s counter left hands.</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Or maybe <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">McGregor</span></span></span></span> is merely 26, and a hothead, and he <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">doesn</span></span></span></span>&rsquo;t plan much beyond his next insult. We honestly have no idea yet.</p>
<p>But he&rsquo;s succeeded already in making this the most interesting fight of Aldo&rsquo;s career. We&rsquo;<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">ve</span></span></span></span> never seen Aldo in a contentious blood feud&mdash;at least not like this&mdash;and there is no telling how he&rsquo;ll react.</p>
<p>Will we get the best possible version of Aldo on July 11? Will we see a return to the breathtaking aggression and mind-blowing highlights of his <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WEC</span></span></span></span> run?</p>
<p>Will we get the worst version of him? Will he be reckless and prone to a counter? Will he retreat into his brilliant but occasionally uninspired shell?</p>
<p>We have no idea, and perhaps the true genius of the UFC 189 "world tour" was creating an environment where&mdash;gulp, three months from now&mdash;anything can happen.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:35:47 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415481-will-conor-mcgregors-antics-bring-out-the-best-or-worst-in-jose-aldo
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415481-will-conor-mcgregors-antics-bring-out-the-best-or-worst-in-jose-aldohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415481-will-conor-mcgregors-antics-bring-out-the-best-or-worst-in-jose-aldoFightingMMAUFCOpinionJose AldoUFC 189Caged InRonda Rousey's WWE Run Cements Her as Biggest Star in UFC HistoryJeremy Botter<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">If there were any doubts that Ronda Jean Rousey is the Ultimate Fighting Championship's biggest star (and perhaps its biggest-ever star), those notions were dispelled on Sunday.</p>
<p>As you may have heard by now, Rousey jumped the railing at WrestleMania and, side by side with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, appeared to set up a tag team match for next year's WrestleMania in Dallas: Rousey and The Rock vs. the real-life husband-and-wife power duo of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Paul Levesque (Triple H's real name) and his wife are the future operators of World Wrestling Entertainment (provided Vince McMahon is not, in fact, immortal).</p>
<p>Already their fingerprints are being felt on the product, Rousey included. Even one year ago, the idea of a UFC champion being involved in what was essentially one of the two biggest angles on the WWE's biggest and most prideful show of the year was an unthinkable one.</p>
<p>But Rousey has reached a plateau that few, if any, UFC stars have ever reached.</p>
<p>She is a raging success in her own sport and might be the UFC's biggest pay-per-view draw. She is on the silver screen. She appears effortless on morning talk shows, charming hosts and viewers alike. She is the perfect billboard for advertisers seeking a total badass with a touch of elegance and class.</p>
<p>Her appearance at WrestleMania perfectly illustrates her popularity. Popular mixed martial artists have appeared on wrestling programs in the past. The usual response from wrestling fans is something along the lines of: Who is that person, and why is he here? Either that or almost total indifference, which is not the reaction the company was going for.</p>
<p>But not Rousey. When The Rock began walking toward Rousey's ringside seat, the sound of the crowd at Levi's Stadium totally changed. There was a buzz. And then it began, slowly, but picking up steam quickly as the audience realized what was about to happen: chants of "Ronda Rousey."</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>And then Rock turned and smiled at Rousey, and she jumped over the railing, and the crowd went ballistic. Over the course of the next five minutes, one of the more surprising (and memorable) moments in WrestleMania history would unfold. This wasn't a wrestling crowd who was indifferent to Rousey. They all knew exactly who she was. They knew exactly what she was there for. And they knew exactly what they wanted to see: Rousey putting her signature armbar on McMahon.</p>
<p>Instead, we got something of a build for what will almost assuredly be a feature bout on next year's WrestleMania in Dallas. The promotion has a big stadium to fill. There are a lot of seats in Cowboys Stadium, and it'll be gunning for its all-time attendance record.</p>
<p>So Rousey did not armbar McMahon; instead, she hip-tossed Triple H (who do you think would win in a fight between Rousey and a Triple H?) and then used the same sort of armlock Jon Jones used on Glover Teixeira to dispose of McMahon. A moment was created, and the foundation for a future moment was poured out like cement.</p>
<p>And what of this? The fact that Rousey was the linchpin to all of this and not Johnson&mdash;one of Hollywood's biggest stars and a complete returning hero to all wrestling fans&mdash;absolutely revealed just how big of a star she has become.</p>
<p>Rousey has utterly transcended the UFC. She is not the world's biggest action-film star. Not yet, anyway. But she has nearly reached the threshold of being called a household name.</p>
<p>I tend to use my mother as a metric when determining how well-known a fighter is with non-fans, because my mother cannot stand violence and wouldn't watch a mixed martial arts fight if you forced her to. But she knows who <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda Rousey</a> is, and she likes her, and she'll ask me from time to time about her upcoming fight, even though she has no intention of watching it.</p>
<p>If you pass the Mom test, you're a star. If you make 76,000 people in Levi's Stadium stand up and cheer your name, you're a star.</p>
<p>We already knew Rousey was the UFC's biggest star. We just didn't know by how much. But now, we have that answer: Nobody else is close. And she might just be the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts, and that includes human money-making machine <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/brock-lesnar">Brock Lesnar</a>. Lesnar drew millions of wrestling fans to the UFC.</p>
<p>Rousey will pull mixed martial arts fans to the WWE. But she'll also have something of a reverse effect, bringing back the wrestling fans she gains in WWE back to the UFC.</p>
<p>And if she continues doing both, dabbling in wrestling while continuing to crush her competition with ease in the UFC, by the time next year's WrestleMania is over, there will be no doubt who is the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:35:30 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-history
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-historyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-historyMMAUFCOpinionCaged InRonda RouseyAntonio Smith Released by Raiders: Latest Details, Comments and ReactionScott Polacek<p>The Oakland Raiders were 30th in the league in sacks during the 2014 season, but they will try to improve on that disappointing total in 2015 without the services of defensive lineman <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/antonio-smith">Antonio Smith</a>. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/RAIDERS/status/583006165660930048">Raiders confirmed</a> on Tuesday that the team released the 33-year-old after only a single season in Oakland. Smith's release saves the Raiders $4 million in cap space, per <a href="http://overthecap.com/calculator/oakland-raiders" target="_blank">OverTheCap.com</a>.</p>
<p>Smith played all 16 games for the Raiders last year and finished with three sacks and a forced fumble. He also helped plug the middle against run plays and opened up lanes for his teammates on the outside to pursue the running back.</p>
<p>Smith played with the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans before coming to Oakland and appeared in all 16 games in every single season since 2006 except one, when he played in 15 games in 2013. His durability is impressive, but the Raiders are attempting to get younger, save some money and rebuild after a string of lackluster seasons.</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:31:23 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415729-antonio-smith-released-by-raiders-latest-details-comments-and-reaction
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415729-antonio-smith-released-by-raiders-latest-details-comments-and-reactionhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415729-antonio-smith-released-by-raiders-latest-details-comments-and-reactionNFLNFL Free AgencyBreaking NewsAntonio SmithNFL Draft Hidden Truths: Florida State's 'Secret Superstar,' Gurley Overhyped?Team Stream Now<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p class="ui-droppable">Rumors continue to swirl, fans speculate, and prospects anxiously await the 2015 <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nfl">NFL</a> draft. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/adamlefkoe">Adam <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lefkoe</span></span></span></a> and Bleacher Report NFL analyst Chris <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Simms</span></span></span> are here to shed some light on this year's draft class.</p><p class="ui-droppable">How early could Todd <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gurley</span></span></span> be taken? Which players should fans be skeptical about?&nbsp;<br><br>Watch the video above, and let us know what you think!</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:23:50 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415700-nfl-draft-hidden-truths-florida-states-secret-superstar-gurley-overhyped
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415700-nfl-draft-hidden-truths-florida-states-secret-superstar-gurley-overhypedhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415700-nfl-draft-hidden-truths-florida-states-secret-superstar-gurley-overhypedNFL DraftNFLOpinionJJ Watt Explains His 'Fake Bad Singing' and Acting on 'New Girl'Kyle Newport<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">Although the common belief is that Houston Texans star J.J. Watt can do anything, an appearance on <em>New Girl </em>exposed at least one serious deficiency.</p><p class="ui-droppable">He can't sing.</p><p class="ui-droppable">In a behind-the-scenes look at his guest appearance on the show, the 26-year-old Defensive Player of the Year revealed he had to do some "fake bad singing." Watt fully admits to his vocal shortcomings, but probably isn't super fazed by it. After all, he's a football player, not a singer.&nbsp;</p><p class="ui-droppable">Fans can catch Watt on&nbsp;<em>New Girl </em>on Tuesday&nbsp;at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.</p><p class="ui-droppable">[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=40&amp;v=faZwKajtdvU">Fox</a>, h/t <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/houston-texans-jj-watt-new-girl-033115">Fox Sports</a>]</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:23:12 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415714-jj-watt-explains-his-fake-bad-singing-and-acting-on-new-girl
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415714-jj-watt-explains-his-fake-bad-singing-and-acting-on-new-girlhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415714-jj-watt-explains-his-fake-bad-singing-and-acting-on-new-girlNFLBreaking NewsItaly vs. England: Goals, Highlights from International Friendly Sean Swaby<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable"><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/southampton">Southampton</a> striker&nbsp;<span class="spellcheck">Graziano</span> <span class="spellcheck">Pelle</span> scored a wonderful headed goal as Italy took a 1-0 lead over England on Tuesday in Turin.&nbsp;</p><p class="ui-droppable"><span class="spellcheck">Pelle</span>'s glancing header redirected the ball just enough to beat England's Joe Hart.&nbsp;</p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">England must have been hoping Premier League <span class="spellcheck">Pelle</span> showed up to the match.&nbsp;</p><p class="ui-droppable">Andros Townsend equalised for England, as the Tottenham man hit a wonderfully taken goal to make things level in Turin.&nbsp;</p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p><p class="ui-droppable">[Vine]</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:23:08 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415733-italy-vs-england-goals-highlights-from-international-friendly
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415733-italy-vs-england-goals-highlights-from-international-friendlyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415733-italy-vs-england-goals-highlights-from-international-friendlySoccerWorld FootballInternational FootballEngland (National Football)Breaking NewsInsider Breakdown: Versatile 2016 DE Janarius Robinson Is Perfect Fit for FSUTeam Stream Now<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Janarius</span></span> Robinson is a 4-star weak-side defensive end, per <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Janarius-Robinson-33958">247Sports' composite rankings</a>, who is committed to Florida State. Robinson will make a huge impact heading into Tallahassee.</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Bleacher Report College Football Analyst&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/inthebleachers">Michael <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Felder</span></span></a>&nbsp;breaks down what makes Robinson&nbsp;such an impressive prospect for the Seminoles.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">What kind of impact can Robinson have on FSU's future? Check out the video and let us know!</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:22:37 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415701-insider-breakdown-versatile-2016-de-janarious-robinson-is-perfect-fit-for-fsu
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415701-insider-breakdown-versatile-2016-de-janarious-robinson-is-perfect-fit-for-fsuhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415701-insider-breakdown-versatile-2016-de-janarious-robinson-is-perfect-fit-for-fsuNCAACollege FootballACC FootballFlorida State FootballOpinionCollege Football RecruitingTeam Stream Now5-Star Ed Oliver Is the 'Most Ready and Polished DT of 2016'Team Stream Now<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable"><a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Ed-Oliver-30459">Ed Oliver</a>, a 5-star defensive tackle in the 2016 class, per <a href="http://247sports.com/">247Sports</a>, is making heads turn on the recruiting trail. The 6'2", 285-pound athlete has several offers on the table from seemingly every top program in the country.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Bleacher Report's <a href="https://twitter.com/InTheBleachers?lang=en" target="_blank">Michael <span class="spellcheck">Felder</span></a> breaks down Oliver's game and where he expects the big man to play at the college level.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Check out the video, and let us know!</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:18:59 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415690-5-star-ed-oliver-is-the-most-ready-and-polished-dt-of-2016
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415690-5-star-ed-oliver-is-the-most-ready-and-polished-dt-of-2016http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415690-5-star-ed-oliver-is-the-most-ready-and-polished-dt-of-2016College FootballOpinionTeam Stream NowNetherlands vs. Spain: Goals, Highlights from International FriendlySean Swaby<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Stefan <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">de</span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vrij</span></span></span></span> gave the Dutch an early lead in their clash with Spain, heading home a well-taken header that froze Spain goalkeeper David <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">de</span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gea</span></span></span></span>.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Vrij</span></span></span></span> rose up and met a perfect cross from Wesley <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sneijder</span></span></span></span> for the early advantage.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">It was <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">deja</span></span></span></span> <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">vu</span></span></span></span> for Spain early after being crushed by the Netherlands 5-1 in the World Cup, as the Dutch already led 2-0 inside of 20 minutes.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Davy <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Klaassen</span></span></span></span> doubled the lead, hitting in a rebound after De <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Gea</span></span></span></span>'s initial save.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">Memphis <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Depay</span></span></span></span> showed off some impressive footwork, fooling a trio of Spanish defenders.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">[Vine]</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:16:17 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415705-netherlands-vs-spain-goals-highlights-from-international-friendly
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415705-netherlands-vs-spain-goals-highlights-from-international-friendlyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415705-netherlands-vs-spain-goals-highlights-from-international-friendlySoccerWorld FootballInternational FootballNetherlands (National Football)Breaking News